Xenonlampe

A xenon lamp, or xenonlampe, is a type of high-intensity discharge lamp that uses xenon gas to produce bright light. When a sufficient electrical voltage is applied, xenon gas becomes ionised and an arc is formed between two electrodes inside a quartz or fused silica envelope. The resulting plasma emits a very bright, broad-spectrum light that appears nearly white and is suitable for applications requiring high luminance.

Construction and operation: The lamp consists of a sealed bulb containing xenon gas, sometimes with metal halide additives to adjust color rendering. The electrodes are connected to a ballast or electronic driver that provides a high starting voltage to ignite the arc and then regulates current for steady operation. The envelope is often surrounded by an outer glass jacket for protection and handling in some designs.

Light characteristics and efficiency: Xenon lamps offer high luminous efficacy and a high color temperature, typically in the daylight range (roughly 4,000–6,500 kelvin). Color rendering can be good, particularly in metal halide–adjusted variants. Luminance is very high for a given electrical power, making these lamps suitable for applications where intense, controllable light is required. Lifetimes vary by design but can range from a few thousand to several thousand hours. Warm-up times and color stability during operation are dependent on ballast design and lamp construction.

Applications: They are widely used in automotive HID headlights, cinema and stage lighting, projectors, medical and scientific illumination, and searchlights. Some compact xenon lamps are used in photography and UV excitation sources.

Safety and disposal: Xenon lamps operate at high voltages and contain fragile glass envelopes, requiring proper shielding and handling. Some variants include hazardous materials such as metal halides or mercury, necessitating careful disposal according to local regulations.